A multi-million pound Science City on Tyneside has been welcomed by local residents.

Community leaders and local people were invited to hear firsthand how the project will bring investment and generate thousands of jobs.

Residents from the West End of Newcastle visited the Centre for Life and Newcastle University to see how the initiative will transform a number of areas of the city, including part of the former Scottish & Newcastle Breweries site.

The visit was organised by Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council, who along with One NorthEast, have pledged to use Newcastle's Science City status to develop it as a world-class location to encourage economic growth, enterprise and new business opportunities, by building on the region's existing strengths in scientific research.

Newcastle is one of only six cities in the country earmarked for Government support to develop their science and technology facilities.

Muan'a Mbikayi, chairman of the Newcastle African Association, said: "Science City is a huge opportunity in terms of investment and jobs and its important that people know what is happening and what our future will look like."

Professor Nick Wright, Dean of Business Development at Newcastle University, said: "Science City status represents a unique opportunity for Newcastle and the wider region to capitalise on the research expertise and business that already exists here."

Coun John Shipley, a member of the Science City steering group, added: "It is vital that local people are involved in the project so I warmly welcome this initiative"

It's estimated that up to 100 new technology-based companies could be attracted to the region by 2010. No other UK city has proposed such a venture on this scale.